Fierce fighting as Islamists attack northeast Nigeria city of Gombe

[Valin]

Reuters:

BAUCHI, Nigeria

Sat Feb 14, 2015

 

(Reuters) - Heavily armed Boko Haram militants attacked the northeastern Nigerian city of Gombe on Saturday, fleeing residents and a security source said. Explosions and gunfire could be heard after the fighters overwhelmed a checkpoint at the edge of the city, which has been bombed before but has never had the insurgents attempt to take it over. Witness Abdul Hassan said soldiers ran away after the checkpoint was overwhelmed. The militants then burned down a police station on the outskirts of town, he said.

 

"I crossed a river and ran into the hills," he said. "I'm still there and I can hear the fighting." Others were staying in doors. Witness Hussaina Maji said she was unable to leave her house for fear of being caught in cross fire.

 

The military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

(Snip)